Catch up with the latest news from St Patrick’s Technical College.

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St Patrick’s Technical College’s founding Principal addressed his final assembly at the school ahead of his retirement at the end of the year.

Rob Thomas has been an educator for more than 40 years and played a pivotal role in the establishment of StPatsTech. Chair of StPatsTech College Board, Tricia Hicks, pay tribute to Mr Thomas’ contribution to the school.

“On behalf of the board, I’d like to pay special tribute to Mr Rob Thomas,’’ Ms Hicks said.

“For 11 and a half years he has tirelessly worked on your (the students’) behalf to help you achieve your own dreams.

“Thank you Rob for your input and all you’ve done for St Patrick’s, which is always for the benefit of the students here at the College.’’

Principal Rob Thomas’ final assembly and presentation of Year 11 student awards.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here immensely and meeting the many, many outstanding young people who give me great hope for the future,’’ Mr Thomas said.

“Thank you for believing that we all deserve the best type of education possible. We wish you every happiness and good health in your retirement,” Santiago said.

Current Thomas More College Deputy Principal, Danny Deptula, will take over the reins from January 2018.

Also farewelled at the assembly were teachers, Chef Yvette Hull and College Coordinator, Marc Forster along with pre-foundation staff member, Jim Montgomery. Chef Hull is moving interstate with her family while Mr Forster has taken up the position of Deputy Principal at St Mark’s College in Port Pirie. Mr Montgomery, the College’s Industry Relations Manager, was involved in the initial submissions to establish a technical high school in Adelaide’s north in the mid-2000s.

The assembly also saw the Year 11 Class of 2017 awards given across the College’s three trade schools. The recipients were:

Principal’s Award for the student with the most outstanding academic and trade performance; showed unwavering commitment to their goals; and who always represented the College to the best of their ability at school, in the workplace and in the wider community – Lachlan Osborne

Catholic Education SA (CESA) is conducting a research study project to gain a better understanding of how South Australian families make decisions about schooling. All CESA schools are asking families to participate in an on-line survey that forms the first part of this research. Participation is voluntary and open to any parent / carer with children at a Catholic school. The confidential survey is being conducted by independent research firm Square Holes and is open until the end of term (Friday April 15). It will take 10 – 15 minutes. To take part go to www.squareholes.com/parentsurvey

I write to inform you that Mr Rob Thomas and Mr Terry Neville have been granted Leader’s Renewal Leave for 2 weeks in Term 4 this year to undertake a Study Tour (16 – 30 October).

I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Mr John Neate as Acting Principal at St Patrick’s while Rob and Terry take this leave.

John is an experienced educational leader and is well known to the St Patrick’s College community in his role as Religious Education Coordinator. I would like to thank him for taking on this key leadership position during Rob’s and Terry’s absence and know that you will show your support as he continues the important work at St Patrick’s Technical College.

Today we are making available a fact sheet for parents/carers provided by the Department of Education and Training.

From 2015 all government and non-government schools in Australia will be required to participate annually in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability. The data collection will provide all Australian schools, education authorities and the community with nationally consistent information about the number of school students with disability and the level of adjustment being made in schools to enable the students to access and participate in learning on the same basis as their peers.

No personal information that identifies students or schools is provided to the Department of Education and Training.

Consistent with the information for parents/carers (fact sheet included in the newsletter), please contact the Principal if you don’t want to have your child’s information included in the national data collection.

Each year the College supports students who wish to mark their years spent at St Patrick’s Technical College with a commemorative item of clothing. This item is not compulsory to purchase but it can be worn as part of the official College uniform. It is one way in which we are happy for students to display their pride in the school and camaraderie among their classmates.

Following the introduction of a high quality garment last year, this year’s jacket will again be supplied by A1 Apparel at a cost of approximately $80. (NB – final price will be dependant of quantity ordered).

SbAT students have had the opportunity to try on a jacket and confirm their size during the past week. Campus-based students will have the same opportunity during their morning PC Group time in Week 3.

Students have the option of personalising their jacket with their name / nickname. All names will be approved by the College Principal prior to placing the order.

Students should return their order forms, distributed during Week 2, by Friday 20 February 2015. A follow-up letter to authorise the personalisation will follow including final cost details and payment information.

RAA Driver Education believes that learning to drive belongs within the education system. At St Patrick’s Technical College, we know that the ability to drive is crucial when it comes to young people securing apprenticeships.

That is why we are partners in offering a comprehensive driver education program that combines practical driver training with road safety awareness and defensive driving knowledge to stay safer on the roads.

Pre-requisites

All course participants must hold a current class ‘CAR’ Learner’s Permit and have the ability to practice driving with a Qualified Supervising Driver (parent or caregiver) for 2 hours between professional driving lessons.

This year our school has been asked to implement the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).

From 2015, all government and non-government schools in Australia will be required to participate annually in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability. Over 2013 and 2014 selected schools will participate in data collection under a phased approach before full national implementation in 2015.

The Data Collection will provide all Australian schools, education authorities and the community with nationally consistent information about the number of school students with disability and the level of adjustment being made to enable the students to access and participate on the same basis as their peers.

Students’ personal details will be de-identified in the data collection and aggregated information will be provided to Catholic Education SA who will further de-identify and aggregate the data before providing the data to the Department of Education. Data collected from schools in 2014 will not be made publicly available.

Parents/carers can decide whether they want their child’s information to be included in the Data Collection. Please notify the College, if this is your decision. There are no consequences for not participating in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data.

Please contact Mr Mark Prokopec at the College if you have any questions.

On 20 July 2014, the Department for Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, Public Transport Services (PTS) and service providers will be making changes to Adelaide Metro public transport services in the metropolitan area.

Some dedicated and regular bus services will be affected and therefore it is important that students obtain information regarding these changes from the Adelaide Metro website at www.adelaidemetro.com.au from early July.

As part of the changes, PTS will conduct a public awareness campaign closer to the implementation date. This will include media advertising including press and radio traffic reports, information from the Adelaide Metro website and the roll out of detailed customer information through timetables and kerbside information at affected bus stops and train stations.

Information will also be available via the Adelaide Metro InfoLine 1300 311 108 and the Adelaide Metro InfoCentres at the corner of Currie and King William Streets and the Adelaide Railway Station, North Terrace, open 7 days a week.

South Australia is introducing new laws on 28 July 2014 to help prepare young people for a lifetime of safe driving. The major change will be the introduction of a night driving and passenger restriction for all P1 drivers under the age of 25.

Families should be aware that the new restrictions will directly impact the way in which student car pooling takes place at St Patrick’s Technical College.

Following is a summary of these new restrictions, however all families are encouraged to visit www.mylicence.sa.gov.au to familiarise themselves with the changes.

Night driving restriction

From 28 July 2014, holders of a P1 licence aged under 25 must not drive between midnight and 5am, unless they have a qualified supervising driver seated beside them or they meet one of the exemption criteria below:

driving to and from work or driving in the course of employment;

driving to and from education / training or driving in the course of education / training with a school, university, TAFE, apprenticeship or other training provider;

driving to and from formal volunteer work, or driving in the course of performing volunteer work;

driving to participate in sports, artistic, charitable, religious or scientific activities; or

a police or emergency services officer on duty.

Learner motorcyclists under the age of 25 without a P2 or full licence for a car will also be subject to the night driving restriction.

Passenger restriction

From 28 July 2014, holders of a P1 licence aged under 25 must not carry more than one passenger aged between 16 and 20 (excluding immediate family members) unless they have a qualified supervising driver seated beside them or they meet one of the exemption criteria below:

driving in the course of employment; or

a police or emergency services officer on duty.

An exemption from the passenger restriction will not be available for any other purpose, including education and training.